RIP Bernie Marsden

DrJazzTap · August 2023

Sad sad news. I saw him at a PRS many years ago. Seemed like a down to earth fellow. RIP

axisus · August 2023

Sad news, everyone loved Bernie.

richman6100 · August 2023

Very sad news, he seemed a genuinely decent and down to earth guy. RIP Bernie.

Dominic · August 2023

Amenable and very friendly man.RIP.

Philly_Q · August 2023

I've been out all day and I've only just seen the news. I did wonder about his health following the recent equipment sale, but it's still a bit of a shock. As everyone says, he seemed a lovely, extremely down to earth chap - I can't think of anyone else with a similar level of fame and success who was apparently so amiable and well-regarded.

RIP

impmann · August 2023

They say don’t meet a hero… early Whitesnake was on heavy rotation in my late teens and so I was honoured to meet Bernie, expecting him to be like most of the guitarists of that period I’d met… if we are honest, either a mess or an arrogant wanker. Bernie was neither - genuinely funny, kindly and humble, even.

I’m genuinely quite upset he’s left us. A great player, a good man and responsible for some of rocks great riffs.

RIP Bernie - and thank you.

TheBigDipper · August 2023

A story... A few years ago, Mansons (Exeter) ran a guitar show in the city centre and Bernie was there to demo a new Marshall amp on the demo/performance stage. I was there to see Thomas Blug demo the AMP1. There was some issue with the sound. The person "running" the PA from the back of the room clearly wasn't paying attention and Bernie politely (but totally on point) admonished him for looking at his phone (or newspaper, or whatever - I don't quite remember) instead of looking at the artist during the performance, because "If you'd been looking at me I wouldn't have had to talk over the PA to get you to do something". For me, a lovely insight into his personality. No drama, no screaming, just a polite but totally effective rebuke.

Jonathangus · August 2023

Always came across as a lovely bloke. RIP, Bernie.

guitars4you · August 2023

Just found this - May 2011 and I had Bernie on my stand, courtesy of PRS Guitars for a large part of the day, at the Manchester Guitar Show - Hard to believe it was 12 years ago - At the very start of the clip and the end, when Bernie is on stage you can just about see my 'poster' at the time - A PRS Modern Eagle with my logo - Nice interview with him especially talking about Rory and his Strat

He was on the stand for a couple of hours, signing, talking and friendly to all - I recall he had a long chat with an MP (sorry can't recall who) but believe they became quite friendly after - MP played guitar - My only complaint was he ate my flap jack at the end of the day

- Bugger - for some reason it won't let me post the video clip - If anyone can google Bernie Marsden Manchester Guitar Show 2011, you should be able to pick up the clip - Try posting it and see if you can get it to work

stratman3142 · August 2023

Really sad news. Great player and character.

Headphones · August 2023

Sad news - very much a hero of mine. His eighties solo albums were excellent and well worth a listen, not just teh catalogue we all know.

Saw him many a time, but only met the once, fleetingly. He was still with Witesnake at the time and this was in a motorway service station. Rather star struck and not knowing what to say - to my shame - I asked where he got his hats... A polite smile and a friendly "nice to meet..."

Dodge · August 2023

I met him briefly at the World Guitars PRS event in Stonehouse. It was amazing to see was him playing 'Here I go again' on an acoustic whilst also watching Paul Reed Smith and Nevile Marten absolutely mesmerised and looking like total fan boys.

Grunfeld · August 2023

I'm not very good with faces so didn't recognise him but I heard him playing in a music store and commented to an assistant that the bloke playing down the other end of the shop was a bit good!

Bernie RIP. You were definitely a bit good.

oldfoxy · August 2023

A sad day indeed, leaves behind a brilliant musical legacy. RIP Bernie

markj · August 2023

Just read he died of bacterial meningitis, isn’t this what Mr Beck died from?

Fortheloveofguitar · August 2023

markj said:

Just read he died of bacterial meningitis, isn’t this what Mr Beck died from?

Yes it sadly was.

angusfan123 · August 2023

I was lucky enough to spend the day with Bernie a few years back. He was a brilliant player, but I shall remember him for being such a kind and generous man, who really took an interest in his fans. He even casually passed me the beast and let me strum a few chords. He will be greatly missed.

soma1975 · August 2023

Joe B right now thinking of The Beast

Schnozz · August 2023

soma1975 said:

Joe B right now thinking of The Beast

Almost too late - Ed King's widow has already marched it down to Chicago Music Exchange for her commission.

roberty · August 2023

Schnozz said:

soma1975 said:

Joe B right now thinking of The Beast

Almost too late - Ed King's widow has already marched it down to Chicago Music Exchange for her commission.

@28:25 he wanted it to go to a player rather than a collector

https://youtu.be/L6V8htfnkvc?si=hMXkzCP0RqlMdn2l

Hotshot1999 · August 2023

Bernie was a fantastic guitarist and song writer. As mentioned by others he was also down to earth, without any “big time” ego. A key member of Whitesnake during their most creative period.
RIP Bernie

Boromedic · August 2023

RIP Bernie, an exceptional player and clearly an even better human being, sad though it is he has passed, what a lovely collection of tributes I've read over the last day or so.

Rest well Bernie, your legacy lives on safely.

Philly_Q · August 2023

guitars4you said:

Just found this - May 2011 and I had Bernie on my stand, courtesy of PRS Guitars for a large part of the day, at the Manchester Guitar Show - Hard to believe it was 12 years ago - At the very start of the clip and the end, when Bernie is on stage you can just about see my 'poster' at the time - A PRS Modern Eagle with my logo - Nice interview with him especially talking about Rory and his Strat

He was on the stand for a couple of hours, signing, talking and friendly to all - I recall he had a long chat with an MP (sorry can't recall who) but believe they became quite friendly after - MP played guitar - My only complaint was he ate my flap jack at the end of the day

- Bugger - for some reason it won't let me post the video clip - If anyone can google Bernie Marsden Manchester Guitar Show 2011, you should be able to pick up the clip - Try posting it and see if you can get it to work

I would guess that was David Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale?

Majorscale · August 2023

Dodge said:

I met him briefly at the World Guitars PRS event in Stonehouse. It was amazing to see was him playing 'Here I go again' on an acoustic whilst also watching Paul Reed Smith and Nevile Marten absolutely mesmerised and looking like total fan boys.

I was there that night too. Apparently it was one of the first times he’d performed HIGA on acoustic live. This is a video of the song from that night and definitely worth a watch for the music and his humour. RIP Bernie.

guitars4you · August 2023

Philly_Q said:

guitars4you said:

Just found this - May 2011 and I had Bernie on my stand, courtesy of PRS Guitars for a large part of the day, at the Manchester Guitar Show - Hard to believe it was 12 years ago - At the very start of the clip and the end, when Bernie is on stage you can just about see my 'poster' at the time - A PRS Modern Eagle with my logo - Nice interview with him especially talking about Rory and his Strat

He was on the stand for a couple of hours, signing, talking and friendly to all - I recall he had a long chat with an MP (sorry can't recall who) but believe they became quite friendly after - MP played guitar - My only complaint was he ate my flap jack at the end of the day

- Bugger - for some reason it won't let me post the video clip - If anyone can google Bernie Marsden Manchester Guitar Show 2011, you should be able to pick up the clip - Try posting it and see if you can get it to work

I would guess that was David Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale?

Whitesnake Maestro and Friends help the Winter Gardens David Morris MP

Looks like you nailed it

RocknRollDave · August 2023

Saw him twice onstage - both times guesting on a song with Gov’t Mule. On one of those times, he came onto the stage, plugged his guitar into the amp that had been set up for him and spent quite a while turning knobs to no avail as the amp resolutely remained silent.
Tech walks onto the stage, switches the amp from Standby to On and everything was sorted. Throughout the whole thing, a smile never left Bernie’s face and he owned his daft mistake with the same good humour he seems to have made his trademark.

Also saw Warren Haynes play The Beast live in Milton Keynes.

I stay in Bernie’s hometown every summer, as my folks live down here, and I honestly thought one day I would bump into him on the high street and have a chat, like it would be the most natural thing in the world! As has been said by others, because of the down-to-earth warm he exuded, I felt like I knew him as a friend, despite the fact I had never even met him.

Every single tribute that has been posted about him has spoken of his personality every bit as much as his talent. That’s a great legacy to leave.

Rest well, Mr Marsden.

beed84 · August 2023

Very sad to hear. I never met him, but from what I’ve seen on YouTube, he seemed like a humble and down to earth guy who enjoyed playing and talking about guitar with others. RIP.

Headphones · August 2023

guitars4you said:

Philly_Q said:

guitars4you said:

Just found this - May 2011 and I had Bernie on my stand, courtesy of PRS Guitars for a large part of the day, at the Manchester Guitar Show - Hard to believe it was 12 years ago - At the very start of the clip and the end, when Bernie is on stage you can just about see my 'poster' at the time - A PRS Modern Eagle with my logo - Nice interview with him especially talking about Rory and his Strat

He was on the stand for a couple of hours, signing, talking and friendly to all - I recall he had a long chat with an MP (sorry can't recall who) but believe they became quite friendly after - MP played guitar - My only complaint was he ate my flap jack at the end of the day

- Bugger - for some reason it won't let me post the video clip - If anyone can google Bernie Marsden Manchester Guitar Show 2011, you should be able to pick up the clip - Try posting it and see if you can get it to work

I would guess that was David Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale?

Looks like you nailed it

Bernie had a Blackmore Strat? There's some irony in there somewhere...

timmypix · August 2023

RocknRollDave said:

I stay in Bernie’s hometown every summer, as my folks live down here, and I honestly thought one day I would bump into him on the high street and have a chat, like it would be the most natural thing in the world! As has been said by others, because of the down-to-earth warm he exuded, I felt like I knew him as a friend, despite the fact I had never even met him.

Next time you're there, amble out on Castle St towards the church and down Bristle Hill/Nelson St; his old record shop is two doors down from the tailors and still has an old gig poster in the window, despite him not having used the shop for about 15 years. Seems somewhat poignant, now.

RocknRollDave · August 2023

timmypix said:

RocknRollDave said:

I stay in Bernie’s hometown every summer, as my folks live down here, and I honestly thought one day I would bump into him on the high street and have a chat, like it would be the most natural thing in the world! As has been said by others, because of the down-to-earth warm he exuded, I felt like I knew him as a friend, despite the fact I had never even met him.

Next time you're there, amble out on Castle St towards the church and down Bristle Hill/Nelson St; his old record shop is two doors down from the tailors and still has an old gig poster in the window, despite him not having used the shop for about 15 years. Seems somewhat poignant, now.

Yes, I’ve seen that! Didn’t realise until I saw your post that it was Bernie’s shop!

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RIP Bernie Marsden

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My head said brake, but my heart cried never.